5 minute read
Be the CEO of Your Life
KELLY METRAS & KELLY BUSH
Welcome to the world of BOSSY with Kelly Bush and Kelly Metras. BOSSY and BOSSing are small business owner support groups that we co-founded in 2014.
We each became a boss in 2010 & 2011 respectfully, and quickly realized that being the CEO is often an isolating position, but it doesn’t have to be. BOSSY was the first step in connecting small business owners in a real, raw, and honest space. The second step was Getting Real with BOSSY, the podcast about what it’s really like to own business.
These attributes are not always taught, and many people don’t realize that they may need practice to become proficient in them. It is often assumed that business owners are a separate breed and just “know” what they are doing. When in reality, we struggle just like everyone else!
Running a successful business requires a unique set of skills and characteristics. Interestingly, many of these skills seamlessly transfer into the fabric of daily life, shaping how business owners approach challenges, make decisions, and navigate relationships. Let’s get real and dive into applying these skills in your everyday life.
Strategic Thinking:
Business owners are adept at strategic thinking, constantly analyzing market trends, competitors, and opportunities everywhere that they go. This skill manifests in the ability to plan and set goals effectively in everyday life. Whether it’s planning a family vacation or deciding on personal development objectives, having a strategic mindset plays a pivotal role in achieving your goals.
Decision-Making:
Decisiveness is a hallmark of successful business owners. In our personal lives, decisions abound, from choosing a career path to making everyday choices about health and wellness. Business owners leverage their decision-making skills to weigh options, assess risks, and commit to choices, fostering a sense of empowerment and direction in both professional and personal domains. Even if that decision is to let someone else plan your vacation! Knowing your boundaries and acknowledging your unique needs leads to a more seamless decision-making process.
Adaptability:
The business landscape is dynamic, and adaptability is crucial for survival. Business owners often find themselves navigating unforeseen challenges and pivoting strategies. Yes, pivot was a business word before the pandemic! This adaptability spills over into personal life, helping us cope with change, whether it be a career shift, relocation, or unexpected life events. We are used to fluctuation, so it isn’t quite as scary. Adaptability is necessary but it takes practice and patience.
Effective communication:
Clear communication is a cornerstone of successful business operations. Business owners excel at conveying ideas, expectations, and feedback. In daily life, effective communication enhances relationships, ensuring that individuals articulate their thoughts, needs, and emotions with clarity and empathy, fostering understanding and harmony. This is used to navigate interpersonal relationships, whether shopping in a store or dealing with our familial relationships.
Financial Literacy:
Managing finances is a core skill for any business owner. This expertise extends beyond the business realm, empowering individuals to make informed financial decisions in their personal lives. From budgeting and investment to understanding the implications of loans and mortgages, financial literacy acquired in the business world is a valuable asset for personal financial success. For many business owners, understanding the fluctuations in seasonal sales allows us to understand how to successfully navigate the uncertain cash flow of life-- Planning, budgeting, and forecasting in both personal and business worlds.
Leadership:
Business owners are natural leaders, steering their teams towards shared objectives. In personal life, leadership skills contribute to effective parenting, community involvement, and collaborative efforts within families and social circles. Leadership qualities such as inspiration, delegation, and conflict resolution become integral in creating positive environments. And remember, leadership is not controlling, it is guiding.
Time Management:
The business world demands effective time management to meet deadlines and achieve goals. Business owners, adept at prioritizing tasks, scheduling, and optimizing productivity, bring these skills into their personal lives. Efficient time management allows for a balanced and fulfilling life, encompassing work, leisure, and personal growth. We often hear “How do you manage it all?” and the answer is time management and organization!
Resilience:
The entrepreneurial journey is fraught with challenges, requiring resilience in the face of setbacks. This resilience extends into personal life, helping individuals bounce back from disappointments, setbacks, and adversity. The ability to persevere and maintain a positive mindset becomes a guiding force in overcoming obstacles.
The integration of business owner skills into everyday life creates a holistic and purpose-driven approach. Strategic thinking, decision-making, adaptability, effective communication, financial literacy, leadership, time management, and resilience collectively contribute to a well-rounded and empowered individual. But all of these attributes take practice and intention.
As business owners seamlessly navigate the intersection of professional and personal spheres, the skills acquired in entrepreneurship become invaluable tools for a fulfilling and successful life. Don’t forget … you are the CEO of your life!
Follow us @bossyroc, and listen to amazing stories of resilience through our podcast, Getting Real with BOSSY at bossyroc. com/podcast.
****
Kelly Bush and Kelly Metras started BOSSY in 2014 after meeting together to navigate the ups and downs of owning a business as a woman. Deciding to share the empowerment felt after their meetups, BOSSY was born from a random happy hour that left a group of 30 women wanting to continue the feeling of empowerment and camaraderie.
The leadership duo consists of Kelly Bush co-owns Marshall Street Bar and Grill and the Union Tavern, and is the owner of K & B Consulting. Kelly Metras, co-owner of Salena’s Mexican Restaurant, is a pessimistic optimist who believes it is the job of local business owners to improve their communities. To learn more about BOSSY, please visit https://www.bossyroc.com/
